Symphonic Wind Ensemble - Stephen L. Gage, Conductor

    Comprised of approximately 55 undergraduate and graduate music majors who have attained the highest level of proficiency on their instruments, the YSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble is the premiere ensemble of the Youngstown State University band program. Performing the finest available repertoire, the ensemble's performances include traditional wind band literature, one-per-part chamber works and premiere performances of new compositions in the wind band genre.

    The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has earned an international reputation for excellence in woodwind, brass, and percussion performance, representing the University Bands and the Dana School of Music at countless state and national music conventions and recently performing at Carnegie Hall.

Auditions for the Symphonic Wind Ensemble are held once per semester.

Concert Band- Chris Heidenreich, Conductor

    Consisting primarily of undergraduate music majors, the Concert Band maintains a full instrumentation for the study and performance of the finest band standards and contemporary literature. The band performs at least two concerts per semester showcasing the high level of musicianship attained by the 55 performers comprising this ensemble.

Auditions for the Concert Band are held once per semester.

 

University Symphonic Band - Conducted by Graduate Staff

    Meeting during spring semester, the University Symphonic band includes music majors as well as talented musicians from many other academic disciplines. The University Symphonic Band maintains an active performance schedule and plays high quality literature, allowing students to continue and enrich their previous musical experiences at the university level. In addition, this ensemble provides an opportunity for music majors to develop performance skills on secondary instruments, and learn a broad variety of the wind band repertoire.

    Music majors are placed in the University Symphonic band by the ensemble audition process. The band is open without audition to non-majors and music majors playing secondary instruments; a brief audition for chair placement is required.

YSU "Marching Pride" - Chris Heidenreich, Director

    The 128-member 2007 Youngstown State University “Marching Pride” consisted of undergraduate and graduate students who represent over 30 academic majors at YSU.  The 2007 Marching Pride was comprised of 2 Drum Majors, 22 Auxiliary including color guard, dancers and 1 featured twirler, 12 percussionists and 81 wind players.  The band is directed by Dr. Chris Heidenreich, Assistant Professor of Music Education at the Dana School of Music (cpheidenreich@ysu.edu); assisted by Rob Ferguson, marching percussion instructor; and, Stacey Walters-Emch, dance team and majorette advisor (emp7172@aol.com).

Each year, the Marching Pride performs at each home game to help cheer on the Penguin Football team.  In addition, the band has hosted and performed for the Bands of America Regional events held at Stambaugh Stadium, as well as recent away games at Pitt University, Penn State University and The Ohio State University.  The marching band is scheduled to join the Penguins in Ohio Stadium on August 30, 2008, when the team takes on the OSU Buckeyes.  

The band has performed on broadcasts of ESPN and CBS as it traveled to football championships with the 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1997 NCAA I-AA National Championship Penguin football teams; and, in 1999, when the football Penguins were the NCAA I-AA National Runner-up team. The band has also performed for the Cleveland Browns (2006), and Buffalo Bills of the National Football League.

The 2007 “Marching Pride” had 66 members who were a part of the Dana School of Music, 11 from the College of Education, 9 from the College of Arts and Sciences, 13 from the College of Health and Human Services, 21 STEM- Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics, 6 from the College of Business, and, 5 from the College of Fine and Performing Arts.  One hundred and seven members hail from the state of Ohio, while 17 come from Pennsylvania, 2 from New York and one member each from West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble preforming at Carnegie Hall